Karamo Brown on his ‘dream job’ as daytime talk show host

Our next guest has many talents, from reality star to actor and author.

In 2018, we came to know and love Karamo Brown as the culture expert on Netflix hit show Queer Eye, which has gone on to win 10 Emmy Awards.

Then last year, Karamo also added daytime talk show host to his resume, and he is back for more. Season 2 of his show premieres Monday, and he's here to tell us all about it. Good morning to you.

Good morning.

So great to see you. You're looking fantastic.

Thank you. I'm taking style tips from Al. I just took a photo of you because I'm like, I need this entire look.

So we'll see the chain look and everything. You know what, I love the idea that you're doing the show. It's so well deserved. I hear you say— I mean, you've done a lot of awesome projects— that this is your dream job.

It is. I've been dreaming of this since I was a little boy, like, um, watching Phil Donahue, Oprah, Montel. That's all I want to do is be in a space where I could help people and have fun with people day in and day out.

And this is so perfect for you because, I mean, these are, these are real people. These aren't celebrities. But You have been very open with the struggles you've had in your life, and you can actually offer true advice to these people.

Oh yeah. I mean, outside of training, like the mess that these individuals have in their life, I've had the same mess in my life. So there's no judgment. I mean, from addiction to issues with paternity of finding out my son when he was 10. Like when my guests sit in front of me and they say like, I'm having a relationship issue, I say, I can relate. I know what it's like. I've been there. Oh, there go my babies. Oh, they're so much older. I can relate to them and people know that I'm not judging them. I'm, you know, all of our lives are messy at some point and sometimes we just need somebody to give us a little advice so that we can get through, right?

And it's not all serious. I mean, you guys, you look at some of these videos, your audience is having a party.

Oh, we have a good time.

It's like Club Karamo.

Listen, my thing is, if we got to go to work, we might as well enjoy every moment of it. Yes, listen, you come to my show, we're gonna dance, we're gonna have a good time. Oh, why not?

Why not?

Again, life is heavy. It gets messy. Let's find the moments of joy.

And Karamo, I feel like it even extends to your Instagram. Sometimes, you know I like to dance, I'll scroll through your Instagram page and I'm like, okay, you have a good time. So there are a lot of people who still, they love your show. They also like Queer Eye. Is there anything you can tell us, you know, what fans can expect for the new season?

Yeah, so we're getting a lot more, you know, we're amping up the mess in a sense. Meaning like we're not allowing, we're letting people come with their true authentic selves. Because I think sometimes people feel as if like I have to keep a certain demeanor. Because I don't want to embarrass myself or embarrass someone else. And I'm like, emotions aren't embarrassing. Healing is not embarrassing. Expressing who you are is one of the best things that we can do as human beings. And so we're allowing people to be their authentic self. We're coming to have fun. Um, I unlock phones on my show to help people get through. So that's one of my signature segments.

You unlock phones?

Yes. So if you're confused about where your partner has been going, what they've been doing, I will unlock their phone and I have an FBI agent on my— former FBI agent who will go through the phone up to 5 years after it's been deleted.

Okay.

And we will get—

sounds like that could just roll right into your time.

Okay, that is—

that will be time for some healing.

Yes, yes, yes.

So on Queer Eye, you're the culture expert, but if you could switch to another role, I mean, would it be fashion? What, what would your—

no, no, no, I'm, I'm taking advice from right here from the sexiest grandpa in the world. By the way, I just voted for you. Um, so no, I think mine would be Um, definitely design. My dream has always been to be a party planner or like an old-fashioned— yeah, like housewife. Oh, there goes Bobby Burke, who I love. His book just came out yesterday. Everybody go get that book.

Yeah, you wear so many hats. You're a Renaissance man. I mean, you're fashionable, you've got this show. Do you feel like it's all kind of working together? Because at the end of the day, you're helping people, and people— you, you know, you weed through all the stuff.

Yeah, and I mean, I do feel like it's working, and I'm very thankful. Like, I was raised in a household full of women who were empathetic. You know, my big sister Camellia is watching right now. Hey sis! And she taught me how to be the most empathetic person and always lead with helping people. No matter how messy our lives get, no matter how much things we're going through, I know that God put me here to make sure that people can have a little bit of a breakthrough. And that's what I'm gonna continue to do.

You're doing a lot.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

We've met the moment there.

Meet in the moment.

You are.

Season 2 of Karamo premieres this Monday, September 18th. It is produced by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, which is part of our parent company, NBCUniversal. So check your local listings for where to watch. Absolutely.

Have some fun.

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